Methods: To identify strengths and weaknesses of pharmaceutical policy formation and
implementation in Iran, four standard questionnaires of the World Health Organization (WHO)
were used. To assess the agreement between decisions of IDSC and standardized NDP indicators
in the last 5 years (1998–2002), a weighted questionnaire by nominal group technique based on the
questions that should be answered during discussion about one drug in IDSC was designed and
used.
Results: There is a totally generics based NDP with 95% local production, that provides affordable
access to drugs. The system, structures, and mechanisms were in place; however, they did not
function properly in some topics. Assessment of 59 dossiers of approved drugs for adding to NDL
during last 5 years showed that IDSC's members pay more attention to efficacy, safety, and
rationality in use rather than accessibility and affordability.
Conclusion: Revision of drug system in term of implementation of the processes to achieve NDP's
objectives is necessary to save public health. Clarification of NDP's objectives and their impact for
IDSC's members will result in improvement of the equity in access to pharmaceuticals.